What Are Some Famous U.S. Colleges?

The most famous U.S. colleges are the eight universities collectively referred to as the Ivy League. These institutions maintain the highest levels of academic excellence and have produced prestigious alumni in all areas of human achievement. Of the Ivy League schools, Harvard University, Yale University and Princeton University are the most famous.

Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is ranked the number one global university by U.S. News and World Report as of October, 2015. Founded in 1636, Harvard boasts numerous famous alumni including Barack Obama and Ban Ki-moon.

Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, was founded in 1701 to educate clergy and civic leaders. Notable alumni include former president Bill Clinton and actresses Meryl Streep and Jodie Foster.

Princeton University located in Princeton, New Jersey, is known for its curriculum in the humanities. Founded in 1746, Princeton is well known for its religious scholarship and is connected to the Princeton Theological Seminary. Famous graduates include Michelle Obama and Jeff Bezos.

Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, is a famous college in the U.S. that is not part of the Ivy League. It is most noteworthy for its contributions to the medical field. The Johns Hopkins University Hospital has historically been the vanguard of medical research and treatment in fields such as neurosurgery and child psychiatry.